Update on Edouine's house situation as of 11.14.11:

Marv DeVisser returned from Haiti last week. He says they have found a home for Edouine in a safe part of Port-au-Prince and are in the process of making sure the paperwork is all in order.  The cost is higher than the original house but the ground underneath the home is part of the package.  Will keep you informed as we are informed.  Once again, thank you for your support of Edouine and allowing God to use you.  By the way, her son, Vanderlin, turned 5 in October!

Thank you for your response to Edouine Blotte's plight! 

We want to update you on what is happening at present.  We reached the goal for the amount needed to purchase a home for Edouine.  Praise the Lord! However, what was not known until recently is that the house was for sale but the land beneath it was not!  The lot would need to be rented!  Needless to say, the deal fell through.  We are in the process of finding a plot of land to purchase in order to build one of the prefab homes that are going up in Haiti. Once the plot is purchased and the cement foundation poured, it only takes 1-2 days for the home to be built.  Hopefully, that will happen soon.  Please rest assured that any dollars you sent are being held toward that end.  If a home is not likely to be procured for Edouine, your dollars will be returned.  Please be patient and continue praying.  We will keep you apprised of any changes.  You are appreciated!

A Love Story

Erlin (aka Allen) and Edouine Blotte adored their beautiful 3-year-old son, Vanderlin (1st picture above).  This young couple loved Jesus and served Him well     at the FOHO (Friends of Haiti Organization) Guesthouse (2nd picture above) in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.  Allen was FOHO's caretaker, security guard, interpreter, right-hand man and friend to all. His shy, pretty wife cleaned the guestrooms, hung miles of laundry out to dry and squeezed mountains of grapefruit in order to provide fresh juice to work teams. Vanderlin kept very busy being the delight of "Grandma Jeanne" as well as every guest that passed through FOHO.  The Blottes took good care of the guesthouse and kept the guests happy. Life was good and all of the FOHO staff and incoming teams worked hard to make Haiti a better place to live and to tell others about Jesus. As schools and churches sprouted around Haiti, missionaries Jack and Jeanne Munos loved the Haitian people and lead many to Jesus.  During this time, Allen and Edouine announced a new baby was on the way.

On January 12, 2010, an earthquake changed life in Haiti. Hundreds of thousands died. Many more were seriously injured and left homeless.  FOHO's beautiful 4-story guesthouse was flattened (4th picture above).  Pastor Jeanne Munos, Merle West, Gene Dufour and Erlin Blotte died and were found later in FOHO's rubble.  Jack Munos and Katie Zook were miraculously found alive and spent the following months healing.

In the months since the earthquake, Edouine has mourned the loss of her husband, home, job and mentor. She has given birth to a daughter, Jeanne Louisa (3rd picture above).  She has cared for her children while living in a tent, in a small home with 17 other people, and in an apartment provided by friends.  It has been a struggle to feed her children and to maintain hope.  Although her story is a very common one in Haiti today, we have an opportunity to write the next chapter as one filled with love, hope, peace and joy for Edouine and her little ones.

After much searching, a house has been found in a location that is safe for Edouine's family and is also close to her home church. The location would allow Vanderlin to continue at his present school. He is part of the International Child Care Ministry (ICCM) which means that his education, books, uniform and lunch are paid for by a sponsor.

Because of Edouine's love and service for Jesus and the FOHO family, we want to secure this home for her.  The cost of the house is $18,000. At this time, $10,000 is available toward its purchase.  The FOHO Board of Directors is praying that others will be interested in helping to purchase this home for Edouine, Vanderlin and Jeanne.  Would you please pray about what part the Lord would have you play in this story? 

If you have questions, please contact Marv DeVisser at 517.474.0230 or marv.devisser@springarborfm.org or Larry Judy at 618.928.1390 or aljudy@hughes.net. If you wish to send a check (made out to FOHO), the address is FOHO, Box 222, Holland, Ohio 43528.

Please be mindful there is a time frame in which to secure the property so we need to move fast. Thank you for your prayers and your support for the people of Haiti.

God bless you!

FOHO Board of Directors